Acceptable documents for proof of citizenship or legal status in the United States (U.S.)

The documents listed on this page are acceptable proof of legal status in the U.S. for:

U.S. citizen

Lawful permanent/conditional permanent resident

Lawful temporary visitor -- the expiration date of the driver license or identification card product will match the date the documented legal presence expires (up to an 8-year renewal cycle).

Documents presented must be original. Photocopies are not acceptable. The department will decline to accept any document presented if it has reason to suspect its authenticity. Questionable documents may require additional review.

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens must present their legal presence documents every time they apply for a driver license, instructional permit or identification (ID) card.

The Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is issuing driver licenses and
ID cards that meet
federal REAL ID requirements. While all Wisconsin licenses and ID cards are valid for federal uses for the next few years, at some point a REAL ID license or ID card will be required for identification at airports and federal buildings.

Valid U.S. passport or passport card

U.S. State or local government issued Certificate of Birth. (Wisconsin will not accept Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010, in line with Puerto Rico’s law as of October 30, 2010. More information
available at pr.gov)

Unexpired foreign passport with a valid unexpired U.S. visa affixed
accompanied by the approved I-94 form documenting the applicants most recent
admittance into the U.S. (Note: If you recently entered the U.S. and were not
issued a paper I-94 form, visit cbp.gov/I94 to print your electronic I-94 before applying for immigration or public benefits, such as a driver license, identification card or a Social Security number.)

Valid foreign passport with appropriate immigration documents, which shall include or be accompanied by federal form I-94, arrival and departure record. NOTE: The appropriate immigration documents determine legal presence, not the passport itself

Effective October 1, 2014, persons with a Commercial Driver License (CDL) will be required to provide proof of legal status upon original (first time) issuance, renewal, transferring an out of state license or when adding or removing a class, endorsement or restriction. Acceptable documents are:

Valid U.S. passport or passport card

U.S. State or local government issued Certificate of Birth. (Wisconsin will not accept Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010, in line with Puerto Rico’s law as of October 30, 2010. More information
available at pr.gov)

Unexpired foreign passport with a valid unexpired U.S. visa affixed
accompanied by the approved I-94 form documenting the applicants most recent
admittance into the U.S. (Note: If you recently entered the U.S. and were not
issued a paper I-94 form, visit cbp.gov/I94 to print your electronic I-94 before applying for immigration or public benefits, such as a driver license, identification card or a Social Security number.)

Effective March 1, 2015, under federal law, temporary visitors from Canada
and Mexico will no longer be allowed to renew or change classes or endorsements
on their Wisconsin Commercial Driver License (CDL) or Commercial Learner Permit
(CLP).

If you are a temporary visitor from Canada or Mexico and wish to
continue driving a commercial vehicle in the U.S., you will need to
obtain a qualifying commercial license from Canada or Mexico before
your current Wisconsin CDL or CLP expires.

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